Powder Coating
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Powder Coating Services
What is Powder Coating?
Powder coating is a finishing process that fuses a dry powder to a metal surface. This finish looks similar to paint but offers high quality, abrasion-resistance which is tougher than conventional liquid paint.
Since the invention of the powder coating process in 1945, the demand for powder coating services in the manufacturing industry has increased. Professional businesses utilize finishing services to coat metal parts in various textures including gloss, matte, textured, and metallic to provide parts with a uniform appearance, and added rust prevention. Commercial powder coating companies offer quality powder coating services in various powder colors to customize any design. These colors include purple, pink, green, blue, orange, red, brown, tan, yellow and others. Not only is powder coat finishing cost effective, but the resulting custom products are easy to care for since they are resistant to corrosion, scratching, chipping, and splintering.
For a deeper dive into the advantages of powder coating and its innovative application process, consider exploring
Powder Coating Institute’s comprehensive website, which offers invaluable insights into its benefits.
Powder Coat Design Considerations
Design Considerations
- Mechanical finishing before powder coating is not usually required as the coating covers and smoothes the surface.
- Powder coating typically adds 0.001″ – 0.003″ to each coated surface and slightly rounds edges.
- Textured and matte finishes hide scratches and abrasions better than gloss.
- Deep pockets and inside corners may not be coated due to the electrostatic process.
- Small amounts of powder may accumulate in holes, which may interfere with mating parts and threading. Plugging, redrilling or retapping can optionally be requested.
Textures
Powder Coat Textures
When a product is intended to have a powder coat finish applied color, texture, and gloss level should be considered.
Gloss Powder Coat
A gloss powder coat offers a subtle, less defined reflection, while high gloss powder coating is shiny and reflective. It comes in a rich deep black high gloss finish, along with other colors.
Matte Powder Coat
This type of powder coat is shine-free and often contains a subtly textured surface. A quality matte black powder coat finish is flat matte and provides good weather and corrosion protection.
Powder Coat Metallic
A metallic powder coat has a metallic or sparkle effect and is available as bonded or unbonded metallic.
Materials
Powder Coating Materials
Powder coating services provide a protective and durable finish since the mechanical properties of plastic allow it to easily adhere to surfaces evenly. This creates a uniform finish that is resistant to wear and tear, moisture, and corrosion. The easy application and cost-effectiveness of plastic powder coating makes it the ideal choice for many commercial businesses.
Metal
Powder coating metal is especially protective since powder coated metal parts are durable and repel corrosive materials. Powder coated metal products have high resistance to abrasions, chips, scratches and extreme weather.
Plastic
Powder coating on stainless steel offers long-lasting protection. While stainless steel is corrosion resistant, chlorine, iron deposits, and salt can still pose challenges. Powder-coated stainless steel enhances corrosion resistance.
Stainless Steel
Powder coating plastic is now more accessible in manufacturing thanks to technological advancements. New industrial powders and resins use ultraviolet (UV) light for curing, ensuring plastic parts won't melt or distort.
Chrome Powder Coat
The most reflective powder coat finish is chrome. Unlike plated chrome, chrome powder coat is durable and more cost-effective. It also offers a wide range of colors beyond just black.
Colors
Powder Coat Colors Options
Most powder coat colors are available also in gloss, matte, metallic, and textured finishes.
Orange
Orange powder coat colors are light, slightly yellow shades or deeper and richer hues that are closer to red on the color spectrum.
Pink
Pink powder coatings vary in shades from medium light to very light. The pink matte finish is softer compared to the vibrant pink metallic finish.
Red
Red powder coatings range from a bright red gloss finish comparable to a fire hydrant to a richer and darker burgundy-like red matte finish.
Green
Green powder coat colors range from darker shades of emerald green including matte and metallic to a lighter green textured color, similar to a strong shade of yellow/green.
Purple
Purple powder coatings contain hues between red and blue. A purple matte finish is a lighter shade in comparison to the deeper purple textured finish.
Blue
Blue powder coat colors are available in deep and intense blue metallic and gloss hues, as well as blue matte and blue textured colors.
How it works
Powder Coating Process
The process of a quality powder coating service is as follows:
STEP
01
Process One
The surface of a part is prepared by removing any foreign matter. This cleaning process can be accomplished by washing, abrasive blasting and other methods.
STEP
02
Process Two
The powder is sprayed onto the part using an electrostatic spray gun. The gun charges the powder so that it gets attracted to the surface.
STEP
03
Process Three
After blasting the part, the coated part is then placed in an oven for curing. The high temperatures from the oven melt the powder onto the surface of the part.
STEP
04
Final Process
Finally the part is cooled and inspected.
Unlike other surface finishing services, powder coating is environmentally friendly, economical and does not produce volatile organic compounds in the air.
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